PANAMA CITY, Panama – The Panama Canal Railway, a 76-kilometer transcontinental line operated by the Panama Canal Railway Company, remains a critical artery for global trade, moving containers between oceans in just ninety minutes. This historic railway, operating for over 150 years, connects the Pacific port of Balboa with the Atlantic ports of Colón Container Terminal and Manzanillo International Terminal, ensuring the seamless flow of international cargo with precision and reliability.
The railway functions as a continuous conveyor belt for containerized goods, performing a vital role in Panama’s intermodal logistics network. The system currently operates six daily departures using its fleet of seven trains, each capable of transporting significant volumes of cargo across the isthmus.
Daily Operations and Cargo Volume
Each train consists of eleven wagons with a capacity to move up to 165 containers per trip, equivalent to 55 tons of merchandise. A dedicated workforce of 180 personnel ensures the safe and efficient operation of this logistical backbone. The railway operates within a primary customs zone, allowing cargo to move directly from ship to train and back to ship, a process that significantly reduces road congestion and carbon emissions.
We conduct six daily departures utilizing the seven trains available for the operation. Each train is composed of eleven wagons with the capacity to transport up to 165 containers per journey, equivalent to 55 tons of merchandise, [Translated from Spanish]
Approximately 30 percent of the cargo consists of refrigerated goods, primarily products from South America’s west coast, traveling north to markets in Europe and the United States. In 2024, the railway mobilized nearly 390,000 containers, a volume it expects to maintain throughout the current year.
Infrastructure Investment and Safety
These substantial volumes are supported by a robust infrastructure, backed by more than $175 million invested in materials, equipment, and high-power locomotives. The railway’s track receives year-round preventive maintenance to guarantee optimal, stable, and secure performance. This continuous investment underscores the railway’s commitment to maintaining its critical role in Panama’s logistics corridor.
The railway’s efficiency offers an environmentally friendly alternative to trucking, aligning with broader sustainability goals for the region. By moving containers off the roads, the railway directly contributes to reducing traffic and the carbon footprint of cross-isthmus transport.
The rail line receives preventive maintenance throughout the entire year, ensuring an optimal, stable, and safe performance, [Translated from Spanish]
A Historic Line with a Modern Mission
Beyond its commercial function, the Panama Canal Railway offers a unique tourist experience as Central America’s only panoramic train. The journey provides exceptional views of the tropical rainforest, the Panama Canal, and the landscape that makes Panama a natural meeting point between oceans. For visitors and locals alike, the trip reconnects passengers with the nation’s history and the value of its privileged geographic location.
More than just a transport service, the railway represents a legacy of effort, ingenuity, and commitment. Each kilometer traveled connects people, powers businesses, and sustains the ambition of a country that continues to look toward the world. It remains a tangible symbol of progress and resilience, demonstrating that Panama’s present and future are also built on the rails that have connected it for centuries.